Villa Park survives scare from Esperanza

Villa Park fullback Meki Tafuna prepares to take on Esperanza strong safety Austin Steele during the first half of Friday's game at Yorba Linda High. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER

YORBA LINDA – Villa Park completed a perfect Century League season but the Spartans had to survive an intense second-half comeback by Esperanza before rallying in the fourth quarter for three touchdowns to defeat the Aztecs, 44-34, Friday night at Yorba Linda High.

Villa Park (9-1, 6-0), ranked No. 3 in the CIF-SS Southwest Division and No. 8 in Orange County, won its seventh consecutive game and earned its third successive Century League title. The Spartans only setback was a nonleague loss to Edison in its third game.

The loss left the Aztecs (6-4, 3-3) in a three-way tie for third with El Dorado and Brea Olinda. A coin flip was held following the game and El Dorado was awarded third place and the league's final playoff spot. Esperanza finishes fourth and Brea Olinda fifth.

Esperanza scored three TDs in the third quarter to erase a 16-7 halftime deficit and take a 27-23 lead after three quarters.

Early in the final quarter Osborne capped a nine-play, 73-yard scoring drive with a 20-yard TD pass to Dustin Harrison, putting Villa Park back on top, 30-27.

Moments later, the Spartans defense forced a turnover at the Esperanza 28. Two plays later, Osborne tossed a 22-yard TD pass to Ralph Valle and Villa Park upped its lead to 37-27.

On the Aztecs' next possession, QB Troy Deluca was injured and play was halted for 25 minutes. Deluca was taken from the field by ambulance to an area hospital.

Another Esperanza miscue less than a minute later led to a fumble return for a touchdown by Rudy Hurtado to seal the Spartans victory.

Troy Poole led Esperanza with 159 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Nate Rodriguez caught two touchdowns for the Aztecs.

Meki Tafuna led the Spartans with 84 yards rushing.

With a minute left in the game, the stadium lights automatically turned off because of an agreement with area residents to end sporting events by 10 p.m. The clock ran down in the darkness and the game ended.

Villa Park fullback Meki Tafuna prepares to take on Esperanza strong safety Austin Steele during the first half of Friday's game at Yorba Linda High. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER
Esperanza running back Troy Poole tip toes out of bounds inside of the five-yard-line after catching a long pass over Villa Park defensive back Ralph Valle during the first half of Friday's game at Yorba Linda High. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER
Villa Park defenders Luis Vecchio, Rudy Hurtado, and Lenny Cowans, from left, team up to sack Esperanza quarterback Troy Deluca during the first half of Friday's game at Yorba Linda High. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER
Esperanza running back Troy Poole has to change directions as he has nowhere to go with teammate Zack Porter blocking Villa Park defensive end Lenny Cowans during the first half of Friday's game at Yorba Linda High. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER
Villa Park running back Justin Mottram puts a fake on Esperanza linebacker Kory Grange during the second half of Friday's game at Yorba Linda High. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER
Villa Park's Luis Vecchio catches a pass over Esperanza linebacker Garrett Sweetser to set up a third quarter touchdown, which would give the Spartans a, 30-27, lead over the Aztecs, Friday, at Yorba Linda High. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER
Villa Park wide receiver Dustin Harrison (81) is met by celebratory teammates after catching a third quarter touchdown to give his team a, 30-27, lead over Esperanza, Friday, at Yorba Linda High. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER
Villa Park defenders Rudy Hurtado, Christian Castro and Lenny Cowans, from left, team up to bring down Esperanza running back Troy Poole during the second half of Friday's game at Yorba Linda High. Esperanza's Austin Steele (9) tries to assist. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER
Villa Park defenders Christian Castro (35) and Lenny Cowans celebrate a recovered fumble after sacking Esperanza quarterback Troy Deluca during the second half of Friday's game at Yorba Linda High. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER
Esperanza strong safety Austin Steele forces Villa Park running back Justin Mottram to fumble the ball after Mottram's pass reception during the first half of Friday's game at Yorba Linda High. The refs would later rule the play an incomplete pass. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER
Villa Park offensive lineman Jacob Weaver yells for his coaches to call a timeout as time winds down on the first half, Friday, against Esperanza. The Spartans were able to get a field goal before time ran out. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER
The Esperanza sideline erupts after their team keeps Villa Park out of the end zone on third and goal as time winds down on the first half, Friday, at Yorba Linda High. The Spartans were able to get a field goal on the next play before time ran out. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER
Villa Park defenders Christian Castro, Rudy Hurtado, and Grant Klasna, from left, team up to bring down Esperanza running back Troy Poole during the first half of Friday's game at Yorba Linda High. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE REGISTER

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